This is March!
That means it’s time for some end of season awards.
Check out below for an in-depth list of the top sixth men in college basketball during the 2025-26 season:
College Hoops Today National Sixth Man of the Year
Tobe Awaka, Arizona: This guy is essentially a sixth starter for the Wildcats and has paired nicely with both Koa Peat and Motiejus Krivas to give Arizona a lethal troika in the paint. The 6-8, 255 pound Awaka though, is the nastiest of the bunch. Rugged, physical, and always seeking contact, this guy is a throwback to a completely different time when cool was out and tenacity was in. Armed with a body that looks like it was carved out of ice, Awaka has averaged close to a double-double in reserve — 9.6 points and 9.6 rebounds — for the 28-2 Wildcats.
Other Finalists
Braden Frager, Nebraska: Who says you can’t redshirt guys anymore? After sitting out last season, the 6-7 Frager has been an integral part of the Huskers’ 25-4 start and one of best the years in program history. A redshirt freshman who can score the basketball in a multitude of ways, Frager enters tonight’s game at UCLA averaging 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range. A Lincoln native, he’s also scored 20 or more points on six separate occasions this season.
Trey McKenney, Michigan: With L.J. Cason now out for the season with a knee injury, the 6-4 McKenney should step into an expanded ball handling role for the Wolverines in reserve. He’s already been a consistent scoring threat and has reached double figures in 19 of Michigan’s 29 games this season. Broad shouldered and physically mature at 225 pounds, McKenney isn’t getting the same recognition as many of the other players in this terrific freshman class, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the talent to do so over the next five weeks. This guy could be the key to the Wolverines’ Final Four hopes.
Urban Klavzar, Florida: Todd Golden was bullish on Klavzar’s ability to make a jump after he was only sporadically used during last season’s run to the national title. He’s answered the ball. The 6-1 junior has made 65 three-point shots this season for the Gators while shooting 40.9 percent from three-point range. 159 of Klavzar’s 206 field goal attempts this season have been from long distance, which has added invaluable spacing to Florida’s offense.
Chance Mallory, Virginia: Ryan Odom did a tremendous job building the Cavaliers’ roster from scratch and Mallory is a major ingredient. Undersized, but very effective at 5-10, Mallory can run a team, score the basketball, and also defend. He’s currently averaging 10.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 35.8 percent from three-point range as a freshman. Mallory will be an All-ACC caliber player next year when he takes over as Virginia’s starting point guard following Dallin Hall’s graduation.
Honorable Mention
- L.J. Cason, Michigan
- Terrence Hill, VCU
- Zvonimir Ivisic, Illinois
- Austin Rapp, Wisconsin
- Andrew McKeever, Saint Mary’s
